Weston Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

111114 Unique Reference Number 13 March 2006 Inspection date Clare Moore Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and school age son in the village of Butts Ash near Hythe. The whole of the ground floor and some parts of the first floor of the childminder’s house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently caring for 7 children under 8 years of age. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and regularly attends local parent and toddler groups. The family has a dog.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds the Certificate in Childminding Practise which is a level 3 qualification.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are strongly encouraged to develop a very healthy lifestyle. They are offered good nutritious food at meal and snack times and frequent drinks are available to quench thirst. Children thrive and enjoy fresh air and exercise. They are regularly out and about and use an extensive range of equipment to climb, balance and slide both in the garden and on outings. This helps them to keep fit and active and also gives them frequent opportunities to refine and develop their physical skills.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a home with a high standard of comfort and cleanliness. They learn the importance of washing their hands through consistent guidance from the childminder. They practice good hygiene and the childminder's comprehensive policies and procedures regarding hygiene and sickness helps to prevent the spread of infections.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children spend their time in a very welcoming and secure environment. Risks to children are significantly minimised with excellent supervision, good use of stair gates, safe storage of medicines and cleaning materials and carefully practised fire safety procedures.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about keeping themselves safe in the sun through talking with the childminder and being vigilant about using sun creams and hats. They become valuable partners in actively keeping themselves safe on outings because the child minder encourages them to take responsibility. They look and listen before crossing roads and talk about being careful not to approach strangers or dogs that may be harmful. The childminder carries emergency contact details, a mobile phone and a first aid kit at all times which ensures children can be assisted whenever necessary.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an extensive understanding of Child Protection Procedures and a clear policy which helps to ensure that children's needs are met.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy attending and selecting their own freely chosen activities. They can independently access many of the excellent range of resources available. They use their imagination and are highly involved when they play with play dough, dress up, explore a garage and colour with pens.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They are captivated when they share books with the childminder and enthusiastic when they take part in action rhymes for example “Wind the Bobbin Up” and join in with musical percussion instruments. Other interesting activities offered include art, craft, counting, songs and games

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 which help children to develop their number and language skills in an exciting and purposeful way.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are strongly motivated to explore and try new skills because the childminder encourages them in a lively way and rewards them with praise. Younger children develop rapidly because the childminder is consistently responsive and makes very good use of the Birth to three matters framework. She makes careful observations and liaises extremely well with parents to ensure children experience continuity in their activities and development.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are confident and happy because the childminder discusses their individual needs carefully with parents so that she can settle them in and avoid disrupting familiar routines and comforts. Their behaviour is excellent. They are encouraged to take turns and share toys and are given clear guidance at the optimum level for their age. They co-operate with expectations by removing their shoes indoors and helping to tidy away toys for which they are warmly praised. Children play together and alongside each other very well, enjoy each other's company and are at ease with the Childminder.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children take delight in the rich diversity of the world around them because the childminder shares books, provides resources and talks about different cultures, disability and gender roles. She also provides a variety of well planned activities to celebrate festivals such as Chinese New Year and Mother’s Day.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy consistency of care and routines because there is an excellent and trusting partnership between the childminder and parents with a comprehensive flow of information both ways. Parent’s views are actively sought and parents are kept very well informed about all elements of the care their children receive and the progress they make.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children who attend. Children’s needs are met exceptionally well. Records are accurate, very well ordered and exceed the requirements. Confidentiality is highly respected and records about children's development are shared with parents. The childminder is strongly motivated to develop her service and the level of professional skills and knowledge which she has attained. She attends further training courses which help her to further support children's development.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop documentation and to ensure a fire blanket is accessible in the kitchen.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

A correctly mounted fire blanket is in place and the documentation has been developed. This helps to prevent harm and improve safety for children.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.5